intransitive verb tarried -·ried, tarrying -·ry·ing

1. to delay, linger, be tardy, etc.
2. to stay for a time, esp. longer than originally intended; remain temporarily
3. to wait

Etymology: ME tarien, to delay, vex, hinder < OE tergan, to vex, provoke, prob. infl. by ME targen, to retard < OFr targer < VL *tardicare < L tardare, to delay < tardus, slow > tardy

transitive verb

noun

adjective tarrier -·rier, tarriest -·ri·est

1. of or like tar
2. covered or smeared with tar